that a product intended in part for the homeless (who need it) needs to be improved in quality/performance for those who don't really "need" it in order to sell well enough to be provided as intended to those who do.

I think it's a pretty cool idea. If I were at all good at sleeping on my back, I'd consider it as an option. or is it not necessary? I couldn't tell from the review it is possible to sleep on side in this?

"Our first shipments of six JakPaks were shipped last week to Salvation Army national headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia— the first step in what we hope will be a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship with The Salvation Army. The JakPak began with President Terry Jensen’s many years of working with homeless people in Seattle, and it is our hope, over time, to enable the Salvation Army to distribute JakPaks to those ‘who need it most.’ Active Engineering’s long-term goal is to be able to donate a percentage of sales to Non-Profit organizations to distribute to the thousands around the world without a jacket/shelter. We are very excited about this new step and will keep you all posted on how things progress."

"Plus the first time that they pass out and soil themselves in it into the dumpster or worse it goes. Too bad vagrancy is no longer illegal.. Get some help, get to work. I've never seen a Latino pan handling.. WTF."

That's not so bad to make them extremely visible. It used to drive me crazy when vagrants in Albuquerque would cross dark streets wearing dark clothing. I probably would've hit one by now if I still lived there, so I welcome anything that makes them more visible.

After spending three years in chicago and spending a lot of time with the homeless communities there, working with them try to get IDs and places for them to stay so they can have jobs, I can say they do not deserve all the crap people give them. They obviously made bad choices in life, but once you have fallen that low it is near impossible to pick yourself back up. Everyone is against you, gangs beat you up, cops throw you in jail and take anything you have, and the few handouts you do receive do amount to much. So don't judge so quickly next time.

I was actually being serious. My girlfriend really does say that. Ever seen a guy wearing a cuben poncho, cuben backpack, and cuben chaps....:)

Anyway, the product is a step in the right direction. It is integrating several pieces of gear which is what many of us try to do, but in this case it is not quite as usable as we would like, and not light enough.

But, good for them for thinking outside of the box. Maybe a few revisions will bring a more desirable product.

I think the JakPak is a great idea that could fly once the issues with weight, fit, and breathability are addressed.

I like the idea of it for homeless. And Eric Krumland is right about the homeless. I have to say that some of the nicest people I've met have been homeless people. I have never had a homeless person NOT thank me for helping them; on the other hand, I've held doors for people who were in better situations, or have motioned people to cut in front of me on the highway, and never once did they say "thank you."